US4929868A - Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen - Google Patents
Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4929868A US4929868A US07/295,611 US29561189A US4929868A US 4929868 A US4929868 A US 4929868A US 29561189 A US29561189 A US 29561189A US 4929868 A US4929868 A US 4929868A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- glow discharge
- discharge lamp
- set forth
- percent
- negative glow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/64—Cathode glow lamps
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/12—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature
- H01J61/16—Selection of substances for gas fillings; Specified operating pressure or temperature having helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon as the principle constituent
Definitions
- the present invention relates in general to a compact fluorescent lamp and pertains, more particularly, to a negative glow discharge lamp which contains a predetermined amount of nitrogen.
- a negative glow lamp typically is comprised of a light transmitting envelope containing a noble gas and mercury with a phosphor coating on an inner surface of the envelope which is adapted to emit visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation that occurs when the lamp is excited.
- the lamp is excited by means of the application of a voltage between the lamp electrodes. Current flows between the electrodes after a certain potential is applied to the electrodes, commonly referred to as the breakdown voltage.
- An elementary explanation of the phenomenon is that the gas between the electrodes becomes ionized at a certain voltage, conducts current, and emits ultraviolet radiation. Examples of typical glow discharge lamps are found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,067,129 to Marden; U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,971 to Bhattacharya; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,141 to Byszewski et al.
- the instant invention pertains to negative glow discharge lamps of the variety described above.
- the invention defines a glow lamp which contains a predetermined amount of an impurity (i.e., nitrogen) in the fill gas which results in an improved lamp efficacy (i.e., light output per lamp wattage).
- an impurity i.e., nitrogen
- Mooney et al teach that small concentrations of nitrogen (i.e., 0.1 percent) introduced into an argon-filled F20T12 fluorescent lamp seem to be advantageous to lumen maintenance. However, a concentration of 1 percent nitrogen is shown in FIG. 2 of the reference to result in a decrease in efficiency beginning at about 750 hours. Mooney et al, like Mager, also point out that nitrogen may result in difficulties in lamp starting.
- a glow discharge lamp that is comprised of a light-transmitting envelope containing a gas fill material which includes at least one noble gas and nitrogen.
- the nitrogen is in an amount from 1.5 percent to less than 10 percent of the total gas fill material.
- a pair of electrodes are disposed in the envelope and lead-in wires are associated with the electrodes for support thereof. These lead-in wires extend through and are hermetically sealed in the envelope.
- a power supply means is provided coupled to the electrodes via the lead-in wires and for operating the electrodes in a DC mode of lamp operation.
- the envelope contains mercury and emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation.
- a phosphor coating is provided on an inner surface of the envelope and this emits visible light upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation.
- the gas fill material may comprise a mixture of neon and argon.
- the lamp envelope is generally of spherical construction having a maximum cross-section bulbous region with the pair of electrodes being disposed at the envelope cross-section bulbous region. The pair of electrodes are disposed in a side-by-side relationship.
- the cathode electrode is coated with an emissive material.
- FIG. 1 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a negative glow discharge lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a front elevational cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a negative glow discharge lamp.
- FIG. 1 herein illustrates a negative glow discharge lamp of this type including an envelope 10 that is provided with a phosphor coating as illustrated at 12.
- the cathode electrode 14 is coated with an emissive material such as one of barium, strontium and calcium carbonates that are converted to oxides during lamp processing.
- the anode electrode 16, which is typically a bare tungsten coil electrode, is uncoated. These electrodes are supported by respective lead-in wires 15 and 17.
- the lamp is operated in a DC mode of operation rather than an AC mode of operation. This lamp construction provides improved lumen maintenance and longer life span, particularly in comparison to prior art glow lamp constructions.
- the envelope 10 is generally of spherical shape having a generally maximum cross-section bulbous region 18 and also including a neck region 20.
- the lead-in wires 15 and 17 are typically hermetically sealed at the neck region 20 with a wafer stem assembly.
- the electrodes 14 and 16 are supported primarily in a side-by-side relationship and are approximately at the maximum cross-section bulbous region 18.
- the glow discharge lamp may by constructed as illustrated in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 there is illustrated the lamp envelope 30 that has a bulbous region 32 and a neck region 34.
- a cathode electrode 36 and an anode electrode 38.
- the cathode electrode 36 may be a standard No. 41 tungsten exciter coil.
- Lead-in wires 37 support the cathode electrode 36 and, as noted in FIG. 2, a single lead-in wire 39 supports the anode electrode 38.
- the lead-in wires may be rod-like of say 20-30 mil diameter.
- Both the lead-in wires 37 and a single lead-in wire 39 are hermetically sealed such as by means of a wafer stem assembly 40 that closes the bottom neck region 34 of the lamp envelope as illustrated in FIG. 2.
- the lead-in wires 37 are preferably also constructed of molybdenum to provide proper lamp construction and operation.
- the anode electrode 38 is constructed of a strip 45 of molybdenum, tungsten, or tantalum.
- the foil strip 45 may be secured to the lead-in wire 39 by providing a turned end on the very end of the lead-in wire 39. This permits the end to be swagged securing the molybdenum foil strip at its very top end therebetween. In addition, one may provide a solder, adhesive or weld seal between the lead-in wire 39 and foil strip 45.
- the cathode In operation, the cathode emits electrons that are accelerated so that mercury vapor is excited in the extended region of the low pressure gas.
- the envelope may be filled with a conventional fill material including mercury and a noble gas or mixtures of noble gases.
- a suitable noble gas is neon.
- the lamp can be operated from either an AC or DC power source.
- the envelope contains a fill material that emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation.
- This fill material may comprise a noble gas or a mixture of noble gases at a fill pressure of, for example, 3 torr.
- the noble gases include argon, neon, helium, krypton and zenon.
- a quantity of mercury (e.g., 30 mg) is contained within the envelope.
- the envelope of the negative glow discharge lamp contains a predetermined amount of nitrogen in addition to at least one noble gas.
- the nitrogen is in an amount greater than or equal to 1.5 percent of the fill.
- the amount of nitrogen should not be greater than 10 percent of the fill.
- the amount of nitrogen is in an amount greater than 1.5 percent and less than 10 percent.
- FIG. 1 As typical but non-limiting examples of negative glow discharge lamps made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a series of lamps were constructed as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each lamp contained an anode electrode and a cathode electrode sealed in a phoshor-coated envelope. The test lamps contained 1.5, 3, 6 or 10 percent nitrogen with the balance being neon. The test lamps were compared to control lamps containing 99.5 percent neon and 0.5 percent argon. TABLE I below illustrates the light output and efficiency for each group operating on a 2.0 ampere dc circuit.
Landscapes
- Discharge Lamp (AREA)
- Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/295,611 US4929868A (en) | 1989-01-05 | 1989-01-05 | Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen |
CA002006279A CA2006279A1 (fr) | 1989-01-05 | 1989-12-21 | Lampe a decharge luminescente renfermant de l'azote |
EP19890124174 EP0377225A3 (fr) | 1989-01-05 | 1989-12-30 | Lampe à décharge luminescente contenant de l'azote |
JP2000153A JPH02267849A (ja) | 1989-01-05 | 1990-01-05 | 窒素を含むグロー放電ランプ |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/295,611 US4929868A (en) | 1989-01-05 | 1989-01-05 | Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4929868A true US4929868A (en) | 1990-05-29 |
Family
ID=23138464
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/295,611 Expired - Fee Related US4929868A (en) | 1989-01-05 | 1989-01-05 | Glow discharge lamp containing nitrogen |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4929868A (fr) |
EP (1) | EP0377225A3 (fr) |
JP (1) | JPH02267849A (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2006279A1 (fr) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5027030A (en) * | 1989-11-30 | 1991-06-25 | Gte Products Corporation | Glow discharge lamp having zero anode voltage drop |
US5146135A (en) * | 1990-10-17 | 1992-09-08 | Gte Products Corporation | Glow discharge lamp having anode probes |
US5266864A (en) * | 1990-02-01 | 1993-11-30 | Gte Products Corporation | Negative glow discharge lamp with fill containing cesium or sodium |
WO1997005646A1 (fr) * | 1995-08-01 | 1997-02-13 | Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakrytogo Tipa 'nauchno-Tekhnicheskoe Agentstvo 'intellekt' | Procede d'emission d'un rayonnement optique et lampe a decharge permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procede |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5218269A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1993-06-08 | Gte Products Corporation | Negative glow discharge lamp having wire anode |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2067129A (en) * | 1933-06-14 | 1937-01-05 | Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co | Cathode for discharge devices |
US2419902A (en) * | 1944-03-10 | 1947-04-29 | Sylvania Electric Prod | Fluorescent electric discharge lamp |
US3559190A (en) * | 1966-01-18 | 1971-01-26 | Univ Illinois | Gaseous display and memory apparatus |
US3814971A (en) * | 1973-03-01 | 1974-06-04 | Gen Electric | Fill gas mixture for glow lamps |
US4000436A (en) * | 1973-05-31 | 1976-12-28 | Dai Nippon Toryo Co., Ltd. | Gaseous discharge luminous device |
US4408141A (en) * | 1982-01-04 | 1983-10-04 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Dual cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE590906C (de) * | 1926-11-06 | 1934-01-12 | Patra Patent Treuhand | Elektrische Glimmentladungsroehre mit positiver Saeule, einem fuer ultraviolette Strahlen durchlaessigen Glasgefaess und einer Fuellung aus verduennten Gasen fuer Bestrahlungszwecke |
GB745736A (en) * | 1951-11-29 | 1956-02-29 | British Thomson Houston Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to electric discharge lamps |
US4413204A (en) * | 1982-01-04 | 1983-11-01 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Non-uniform resistance cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp |
-
1989
- 1989-01-05 US US07/295,611 patent/US4929868A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-12-21 CA CA002006279A patent/CA2006279A1/fr not_active Abandoned
- 1989-12-30 EP EP19890124174 patent/EP0377225A3/fr not_active Ceased
-
1990
- 1990-01-05 JP JP2000153A patent/JPH02267849A/ja active Pending
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2067129A (en) * | 1933-06-14 | 1937-01-05 | Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co | Cathode for discharge devices |
US2419902A (en) * | 1944-03-10 | 1947-04-29 | Sylvania Electric Prod | Fluorescent electric discharge lamp |
US3559190A (en) * | 1966-01-18 | 1971-01-26 | Univ Illinois | Gaseous display and memory apparatus |
US3814971A (en) * | 1973-03-01 | 1974-06-04 | Gen Electric | Fill gas mixture for glow lamps |
US4000436A (en) * | 1973-05-31 | 1976-12-28 | Dai Nippon Toryo Co., Ltd. | Gaseous discharge luminous device |
US4408141A (en) * | 1982-01-04 | 1983-10-04 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Dual cathode beam mode fluorescent lamp |
Non-Patent Citations (4)
Title |
---|
A Study of the Effects of Gas Impurities in Fluorescent Lamps by Carl Kenty, Jeanette R. Cooper, (pp. 397 411), 2/1945. * |
A Study of the Effects of Gas Impurities in Fluorescent Lamps by Carl Kenty, Jeanette R. Cooper, (pp. 397-411), 2/1945. |
Fluorescent Lamp Performance as Affected by Impurity Gases by Richard W. Mooney, W. Calvin Gungle; pp. 1 6, 9/1956. * |
Fluorescent Lamp Performance as Affected by Impurity Gases by Richard W. Mooney, W. Calvin Gungle; pp. 1-6, 9/1956. |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5027030A (en) * | 1989-11-30 | 1991-06-25 | Gte Products Corporation | Glow discharge lamp having zero anode voltage drop |
US5266864A (en) * | 1990-02-01 | 1993-11-30 | Gte Products Corporation | Negative glow discharge lamp with fill containing cesium or sodium |
US5146135A (en) * | 1990-10-17 | 1992-09-08 | Gte Products Corporation | Glow discharge lamp having anode probes |
WO1997005646A1 (fr) * | 1995-08-01 | 1997-02-13 | Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakrytogo Tipa 'nauchno-Tekhnicheskoe Agentstvo 'intellekt' | Procede d'emission d'un rayonnement optique et lampe a decharge permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procede |
US6040658A (en) * | 1995-08-01 | 2000-03-21 | Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Zakkytogo Tipa Nauchno-Tekhniches Koe Agentstvo "Intellekt" | Discharge lamp with HO radicals as radiating additives |
CN1103114C (zh) * | 1995-08-01 | 2003-03-12 | “智力”科技机构股份公司 | 产生光辐射的方法及所用的放电灯 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH02267849A (ja) | 1990-11-01 |
EP0377225A2 (fr) | 1990-07-11 |
CA2006279A1 (fr) | 1990-07-05 |
EP0377225A3 (fr) | 1991-07-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GTE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A DE. CORP. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BOUCHARD, ANDRE C.;REEL/FRAME:005015/0807 Effective date: 19881208 |
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FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
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REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19980603 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |